June/July 2015 Surgery Buddies

[KaylaChristine]

Sorry I've been MIA for a few days. I've been really busy and haven't had time to reply but I have been reading posts to keep up on how you guys have been doing!

I'm way more nervous than I thought I'd be. One moment I'm fine and then a wave of uneasy feelings will come over me and I'll feel sick to my stomach.

Apparently my surgeon is also going to remove bone from under my nose to help open up my airways even more. He's also going to give me more of an upper lip since my upper lip is pretty small. Hopefully that will look nice lol.

I've been eating SO much food the past few days. He told me to eat light on Sunday. Apparently he had one guy eat an ENTIRE pan of lasagna at 11:30 the night before his surgery. He recommend that I don't do something like that lol.

Here's what I'm bringing to the hospital:
insurance card (just in case)
my medication
face wipes
lip balm
phone & charger
kindle
camera
dry erase board & marker
notebook & pen
hand mirror
pill crusher
eyeglasses case

I plan on wearing my button up shirt to the hospital so I'll just change into that. I plan on bringing the following for the car ride home: pillow, blanket, spit tray.

I'm really busy today as well getting everything ready for when I get back so I don't have a whole lot of time to post. But I'm glad you two are doing so well! Keep it up!! You guys haven't completely scared me out of doing it hahaha.

I don't imagine I'll be able to sleep much tonight. I might post tomorrow morning before surgery.

I'll see you on the other side!!

[snapdresser]

KaylaChristine - yeah, the anxiety got crazy for me the days right before the surgery. I was basically just trying to get by until then lol. That's interesting about the nose bone removal and upper lip thing. What are they gonna do for the upper lip? Just advance the maxilla more? You want that Angelina Jolie look eh? Btw the button down is a good idea. Mine worked out perfectly. Anything else I didn't have much use for. They have all the post-op meds and fluids. And don't worry about that bar Jaime set for getting on to post! I totally understand if you're busy being uncomfortable and healing for a couple days before you get on

Jaime - have you washed your hair yet? I did it laying down in the bath but I'm working if there's any reason I should tilt my head back and do it in the shower myself. Btw the nose bleeds have gotten worse. I use the sprays religiously but I've had like 6 today already. Maybe cuz I was poking around in there with a wet Qtip? Worked miracles for my congestion, so no regrets

[snapdresser]

KaylaChristine - Oh yeah, bringing some Gatorades wouldn't hurt either! No biggie, but they have electrolytes that are good when you're transitioning off the IV fluids. If it's too late when you see this, don't worry about it, it's no big deal

[jaime]

Good luck KaylaChristine! Sounds like you have all the right stuff packed.

I washed my hair in the bath yesterday, Snap. It was quite the ordeal. I had to use one hand to support my head (can't move my neck too much) and one hand to wash. Blow dried it too. It was nice to smell fresh again. My BO was actually so bad yesterday, lol. I had to get up in the middle of the night to apply deodorant because it was making me feel nauseated.

I don't know if anyone else has had this problem but I noticed it after SARPE too: my senses get VERY sensitive after these surgeries. Even my husband's normal human smells are too much, and I have to have the TV very quiet.

Bad day today, the worst it's been. I cried for the first time since surgery which was a bad idea because my congestion is out of control right now and my face feels like it's in a vice. Day 3 was the worst after SARPE too so I really hope this is as bad as it gets. So much pain and achiness and my jaw muscles hurt. I'm sitting in a quiet dark room writing this because I can't bear any stimuli.

[snapdresser]

Jaime - Woah, that's crazy about your other senses. I've been jealous smelling delicious food, but no hyper-sensitivity or anything. Sounds pretty intense. I hear you about Day 3 of recovery. Yesterday was pretty tough, but the swelling should start going down for you tomorrow. It does seem to be a slow process, but at least you're getting used to the medicine/food through a syringe routine, right? Getting better at it? I know it's still a pain The congestion was real bad this morning but I kinda cleaned out my nostrils with damp Qtips and it got better. I recommend it just don't be surprised about the nose bleeds afterwards...

[lalcharlie]

Jaime, this is as bad as it will get. Funny how we all read the blogs but when it's our turn we just feel rubbish. I bet in 48 hrs you have your energy back and your face has started to look like it's normal self . all of you going through surgery are amazing and coping brilliantly, hang in there!

[Nozzelnut]

KaylaChristine; best of luck tomorrow!!! I hope everything goes as planned without any bumps in the road.

Sounds like the swelling does peak at the 72 hour mark; from everything I've read.

Jaime; I hope the hypersensitivity passes quickly.

Snap; other than the nose bleeds; it sound like things are going OK for you.

What did they send you guys home with from the hospital? Syringes or ice packs or ???

[snapdresser]

I think KaylaChristine is gonna do fine

Nozzelnut - Well, the eating is slow and messy And recovery is boring. And the congestion is an ongoing battle... But what you'd expect, I suppose lol. The hospital released me with virtually nothing. I requested some syringes and they were happy to give me some. That was it!

Ok, so for the record, it was the heat that made me feel so lightheaded after that bath last night. My surgeon confirmed that. So be careful folks! Seriously, I was reeeal close to passing out.

[Nozzelnut]

I'm kinda hoping the turbinate reduction offsets the congestion; if it's the same as it is now I'd be ok with that.

[snapdresser]

Nozzelnut - The issue seems to be the quantity of dried blood in there. Having your turbinates done seems like it might mean even more dried blood But it also seems plausible that more room = less congestion. Let us know! You'll be there soon!!!

[jaime]

I got almost nothing from the hospital either. They gave me some Bioderm ointment (like polysporin) and the leftover chlorahexadine mouthwash but that's all. No syringes. I actually haven't used the syringes I bought so if anyone wants them, I'd be happy to send them along. I have a very small one and a 60mL one. If anyone wants one or both, let me know. Free to a good home!

Feeling better this evening. I had a long nap on the recliner. Not keen of all these dreams about eating or hurting my face, though.

[snapdresser]

So last night was my first night of good solid sleep! So tonight will probly be easier for you too Jaime! And my sinuses finally feel a bit less "clamped down on" lol. Finally! What's your dreams about hurting your face?? That sounds horrible!

[jaime]

I actually had a good sleep last night. Slept almost a solid 8 hours. When are you going to start sleeping horizontally? The wedge I bought is too intense of an angle to use all night so I've taken to folding up blankets and then sleeping on 2 pillows.

I started feeling crappy again late last night. I don't think I am eating or drinking enough. My breath is also so horrible that it makes me feel sick to my stomach. Funny because I've been brushing and using the chlorahexadine mouthwash. I'm able to brush the backs of my teeth and my tongue but it only does so much.

Congestion seems to be about 80% gone.

Looking forward to reading how KaylaChristine does today!

[snapdresser]

Yup, I'm excited to hear from KaylaChristine too! I'm sure she did fine tho, and it was too tough for me to log on Day 1. Even Day 2 I just spent trying to sleep for the most part lol. So I wouldn't doubt if it takes her a little time to come on

I wasn't trying to rush sleeping horizontal. My congestion seems to be best when I keep my head up, and it doesn't bother me too much. I actually sleep on 2 wedges (about a 30 deg angle maybe?) plus a pillow behind my head and a body pillow folded behind my knees, which keeps me from sliding down. It's worked out real well for me so far. Maybe that pillow behind the knees would help for you too? It was my mom's idea lol

That's really great about your congestion! How were you feeling bad last night? Like lightheaded or nauseous? I think the lightheadedness is def normal just cuz you lose a lot of blood in the procedure and you have to remake all that, even if you're hydrated, fed, and cool. Nausea could mean you're fighting an infection but that should be short-lived as long as you're taking the antibiotic. How's eating for you? You try the zip n squeeze yet?

[jaime]

That's good your sleeping arrangement is working well. I've had a pillow behind my knees but it's still not as comfortable as the hospital bed, haha. You have two wedges? I can't even picture that!

Real nauseous last night. I took my medication on an empty stomach and felt worse, so my husband made me eat some broth before bed. Had a good sleep but woke up feeling worse. I've been lying on the recliner all day unable to move or eat or drink. Eventually I was like okay, I need some Gatorade. Well, my body didn't like that and I joined the exclusive post-surgery vomiting club. It actually wasn't so bad. My body did what it needed to do and it didn't hurt.

I'm feeling like I'm not taking care of myself well enough. I've barely been eating or drinking. I thought SARPE was good practice for this and in some ways it was, but this is a whole different ball game.

Ugh. Sorry to be negative. Just been one of those days.